Comments on: Using the Logo as a Link to the Homepage

by: Bojan

Wed, 12 Jul 2006 15:13:59 +0000

Joshua, whether it’s an image replacement of some sort (which is probably the most used technique) or any other method, that doesn’t really matter here.

As you say, yes it leaves a text link, but it’s visible only with styles turned off. So, creating another way back to home is a good idea.

Thanks for your comment.

by: Joshua

Wed, 12 Jul 2006 14:46:02 +0000

I guess I never really have seen people link the img element. Most examples I have seen for linking a logo has been done through CSS and some sort of method of image replacement. This leaves a text link in the markup but then for the full style gives an accessible text link that can still be read by screen readers, etc.. See my site for an example of this.

But I do think for the rest of the world that doesn’t know CSS and doesn’t just expect that the logo will be a link, it’s still important to include a “home” link somewhere in the site navigation.

P.S. Beautiful site design you have here.

by: Bojan

Sat, 08 Jul 2006 23:03:33 +0000

It has sort of become a rule, Jason, but is this a written rule? Is it a web design concept we must follow? A standard of any sort? I don’t think so. It has just become a trend, a trick that’s now commonly used. In the “CSS community”, people expect it. People outside of it perhaps don’t. A
person who uses the WWW rarely doesn’t. Therefore, if the logo, or the header text (site description, for instance) is the only hyperlink back to the index, the user unfarmiliar with the method may get confused. He or she may struggle to get back to where they started.

Why didn’t I link the logo? It was a concious decision, because I think I don’t need to link it. I don’t have the IMG element there, anyway, the whole header is just one big background image. I think my visitors can navigate easily without the logo being a link back to the index. You’ve just confirmed that yourself, when you said you’ve noticed it only now :). The first item in my main menu is “Blog Home”, which I believe is quite enough.

BTW I think you’ve done a good job with your logo and the header, because you have a slogan which includes the word “home”. That word is a clear sign which users can follow. You also have a link back home in your main nav, so users can navigate with ease.

by: Jason Beaird

Sat, 08 Jul 2006 22:16:29 +0000

I was going to say the same thing as Tarun. I agree that all sites should have an obvious homepage link in the main navigation, but there is a good reason why the logo/branding area is usually linked to the homepage as well. With css layouts, it’s generally a rule that you should start a page out with some header text with the name of the page and/or site that is linked to the homepage. Since that link is right up at the top of the page, why not use it to add the logo as a background graphic and keep the linking behavior. Speaking of which, why did you decide not to link your logo to the homepage Bojan? I just noticed that you didn’t. Was that a concious decision? Just wondering…

by: Bojan

Sat, 08 Jul 2006 09:49:09 +0000

@Ivan: I just might do that :)

@Clare: thanks for your kind words.

@Tarun: There’s no harm. I am suggesting that if you link the logo, you should also add a text link somewhere. If you link only the logo, that could in some cases be harmful.